Priest says his last Mass at St. Joseph in Gretna

Recognizing his vocation while he was a West Jefferson High School student, the Rev. Denver Pentecost graduated in 1959 and entered St. Joseph seminary.

The Rev. Denver Pentecost, assisted by Clarence Acosta, right, said his final scheduled Mass at St. Joseph Church on Nov. 28. Pentecost, a graduate of West Jefferson High School in 1959, has been a priest for over 40 years. He will continue as West Jefferson Medical Center's Catholic chaplain until a replacement is found.

At Notre Dame Seminary, he earned a bachelor in church history and Master’s in Divinity. He was ordained a priest in 1969.

In 1981, Pentecost began saying 12:10 p.m. Mass daily and 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Church. On Nov. 28, he officiated at his last scheduled Mass there.

“After saying Mass at St. Joseph’s for 27 years, I started shedding tears when I told the congregation I was leaving. If invited, it would be a pleasure to return occasionally,” Pentecost said.

He has a following of devoted parishioners who were upset about his leaving.

Pentecost was appointed West Jefferson Medical Center’s Catholic chaplain in 1982, and serves as chaplain for Wynhoven Healthcare Center and Wynhoven Apartments.

“Archbishop Aymond has given me permission to retire, but has asked that I remain until he can find a chaplain replacement for West Jefferson Medical Center,” Pentecost said.

“Leaving St. Joseph’s is the first stage of my retirement.”

“My pride and joy is my new place in Woodland Park, near Colorado Springs, a vacation spot 8,000 feet above sea level. I don’t ski, but chose this location because of the beautiful scenery and mountains, especially with winter snow on top,” Pentecost said. “Pike’s Peak can be seen from the balcony.”

He said he will take his dogs “that I inherited from my sisters to Colorado; Molly is a Chinese Pug and Jacque, a poodle,” Pentecost said.

Pentecost has local family, a sister, Lillie P. Liccairdi ,and her husband, Manuel Liccairdi, and their children, Travis Eden and Lori Eden Nino. His other sister, Ellen P. McPhate, lives in Katy, Texas.

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Delight everyone with your Christmas spirit by participating in the Home Decoration Contest in the City of Gretna.

Just keep your outside lights on Friday and Saturday for judging. Call Dodie Rackley at 504.361.7748 for more information.

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Christmas activities are happening all over Gretna, with some restaurants and bars offering extras and some freebies with their usual menus.

On Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., Gretna Presbyterian Church will present its living nativity at 101 Eleventh St. Admission is free to the public; bring donations for the Gretna Food Bank.

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Dr. George Albert Pettit Jr., 78, who practiced internal medicine and cardiology in Gretna from 1960 until his 1995 retirement, died recently.

A New Orleans native, he graduated from Jesuit High School and Loyola University. He earned his medical degree from LSU Medical School in 1955, later teaching at LSU Medical Center.

Dr. Pettit practiced medicine the old-fashioned way, spending as much time talking to his patients about their lives, as he did treating their medical problems, family members said.

He was known in his free time, to read history or philosophy and had a passion for classical music and opera.

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SISTERS Outreach Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps women of domestic violence, many living in shelters.

The group is having a fundraiser/silent auction at the Royal Palms on Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey on Saturday night from 8 to 11.

Tickets are $50 each, which includes dinner, a live band and a fashion show by Prima Donna’s Closet.

The group is seeking donations for the silent auction, a larger building for clothing distribution and training. A van is needed, as well as clothing, shoes, food, toys, etc.

Call Gwen Cook at 504.366.4247.

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Today’s Tidbit: In St. Joseph Church’s interior redecoration in 1947, carvings depicting the Stations of the Cross were fitted into the structure of the building, placed in the arches over the French doors. Luca Arrighini, of Italy designed and carved the new stations out of one 18-ton block of Carrara marble.

Helen Williams is a Gretna resident who writes about people and events of community interest. She can be reached at 504.367.8481, or e-mail her at gretnaglance@cox.net.